What benefits can I get for my dependents?

🎖️ VALOR

Celebrating Freedom and the Legacy of African American Veterans on Juneteenth

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas were informed of their freedom.

For veterans, this holiday is significant as many African American veterans, like the Buffalo Soldiers established in 1866, played crucial roles in the fight for equal rights.

Today, Juneteenth honors the historical significance of emancipation, and the contributions of African American veterans who have fought for freedom and equality, both at home and abroad.

Check out our latest YouTube video “What Makes Juneteenth Important?” and learn more about it’s importance.

Attention: Have You Been Exposed to PFAS Contaminated Water?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with any of the following:

• testicular cancer

• kidney cancer

• ulcerative colitis

• liver cancer

• pancreatic cancer

• prostate cancer before age 50

you may be entitled to compensation.

Don't suffer in silence. Our experts are ready to help fight for the justice you deserve.

Call us at (855) 494-1298 to learn more.

⚖️ EXPERTS

Who Qualifies as a VA Dependent? Benefits for Family Members and How to Apply

Family members of veterans share in their loved one's military service and sacrifice. 

As dependents, they are eligible for a range of VA benefits, from financial support to education and medical care. 

Understanding who qualifies and what benefits are available can help families maximize their entitlements.

What is a Dependent?

A dependent is a family member who relies on an active duty service member or veteran financially. 

Qualifying dependents include:

• Spouse

• Unmarried Children: Up to age 18 or 23 if enrolled in school

• Parents: In the veteran’s direct care with income below the legal limit

The veteran must have a service-connected disability rated at or above 30% or must have retired from active duty.

Adding Eligible Dependents to VA Benefits

Different forms are required for adding each type of dependent:

• Spouse: VA Form 21-686c

• Children (under 18): VA Form 21-686c

• Children (18-23, enrolled in school): VA Form 21-674

• Parents: VA Form 21P-509

• Changes in Dependent Status: VA Form 21-0538

Monthly Benefits for Dependents

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more can receive additional monthly compensation for dependents. 

Specific benefits include:

• Increased Compensation: Based on disability rating

• Special Benefits for Spouses of 100% Disabled Veterans: Includes additional financial support

• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): For surviving spouses, children, and parents of veterans who die from service-connected disabilities

• Education Benefits (Chapter 35): Up to 36 months of education benefits through programs like Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), the Fry Scholarship, and the Montgomery GI Bill

• Medical Benefits (CHAMPVA): Covers medical services and supplies for spouses and children of 100% service-connected disabled veterans

Education and Training Benefits

Dependents may be eligible for various educational programs:

• DEA: Provides benefits for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeships, correspondence courses, and more.

• Fry Scholarship: Offers financial support for tuition, books, and housing to children of service members who died in active duty after September 10, 2001.

Additional Benefits

• Home Loan Guaranty: VA-backed loans for purchasing homes

• Burial Benefits: Includes inscribed headstones, burial allowances, and Presidential Memorial Certificates

• Other Benefits: Educational and vocational counseling, financial counseling, bereavement counseling, civil service preference, commissary and exchange privileges

Filing for Dependent Benefits

To file for dependent benefits, submit the appropriate forms online for faster processing. 

It’s important to provide all necessary documentation and keep track of your claim status.

Common Questions Veterans Ask:

• Effective Dates? The effective date for dependent benefits is the date the VA receives notice of the dependent's existence, provided evidence is received within one year of the VA’s request.

• Adopted Children? Adopted children qualify as dependents for VA benefits with proper documentation.

• Checking Benefits? Check your VA disability benefits online to see if your dependents are listed.

VA dependent benefits provide crucial support for the families of veterans. 

From financial assistance to educational opportunities, these benefits help honor the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families. 

Ensure you file claims promptly and provide thorough documentation to maximize the benefits available to your dependents.

Want to learn more about what happens to benefits after a veteran has passed away? Make sure your dependents get what they are entitled to. Our attorneys explain about DIC in the video below!

🗺️ TACTICS

We’re back to a Disability Benefits trivia question this week… scroll down to test your knowledge! We had some great feedback from last week’s question, so be sure to check it out first!

In the previous newsletter, we asked our veterans and their families to give us their opinions on what we felt was a very important topic for many…

What’s the most challenging part of the VA disability claims process for you or your veteran?

• Understanding eligibility and VA rules

• Gathering evidence and additional documents

• Completing claim paperwork

• Waiting for the decision itself

• C&P exams

• Other

Surprisingly, opinions were mixed, with gathering evidence and additional documents and waiting for the decision itself being the most popular answers.

Many veterans commented about the wait times for a decision and the lack of communication from the VA themselves.

• “Waiting years for an answer is disheartening. Veterans get punished for someone else’s actions and oversight often.”

• “It feels like forever.”

While the VA is often notorious for extended wait times for all parts of the VA disability claims process, a tip from our team is to be informed how long certain parts of the process take, so you can advocate for yourself.

Learn what you need to know in our YouTube video.

Another commonly discussed complaint was frustrations surrounding C&P exams and gathering medical evidence/nexus letters.

• “Medical evidence gathering and a nexus letter is like pulling teeth! Doctors are “too busy” to bother with paperwork for someone who has no other choice but to beg and pester them.”

• “My husband had to go to about 15 separate exams located all around the city area. Some exams were excruciating for him.”

• “It gives me low level anxiety even though I’ve been through this more than a dozen times.”

• “It’s very difficult to know what to ask a medical professional to write in a nexus letter or how to suggest to a doctor to fill out a DBQ (especially when a doctor is unfamiliar with them).”

• “Veterans should always have a choice and not be required to attend VA Clinics or hospitals. Many VA doctors are terrible, writing poor medical opinions, spending five minutes with a veteran, sometimes even fabricating veterans’ statements. It’s happened to me over and over.”

C&P exams are often a very frustrating topic for veterans. Did you know, we have a guide jam-packed with useful tips to help?

Okay! Thanks for participating in our opinion poll last week. Are you ready for this weeks VA Disability Trivia question? Check it out below!

One Veterans Path to TDIU Benefits

🦅 SUPPORT